The accident occurred around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday when a Honda Accord crashed into a support column beneath the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway, Costa Mesa police said.

Det. Michael Delgadillo, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. He was later pronounced dead.

Delgadillo served as a field training officer, a canine officer, and an investigator in the department’s gang unit before taking on his most current assignment as a detective in the Investigative Services Bureau.

“Mike is described as a loyal, dedicated, hardworking employee,” the department said in a statement. “Mike is probably best known for his charismatic personality and his strong desire to train and mentor others by imparting his vast knowledge and many years of experience to the younger and less experienced. Mike will be missed dearly by all.”

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police departments.